You might have felt that extra bite in the air this morning. If you were out early, you weren’t imagining it—the mercury is officially taking a nose dive as we hit the peak of winter. Meteorologists and local astronomy experts confirmed today that we’ve entered the sharpest cold snap of the year, running right from January 10 through January 22. Locally, this stretch is known as “Der Al Sittin,” and if history is anything to go by, it’s time to dig out the heavy jackets.
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The Arrival of ‘Der Al Sittin’
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, the Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, points out that this specific 13-day window is historically the chilliest period for the entire Arabian Peninsula. It’s what locals call Der Al Sittin—or “The Sixties” in the old astronomical calendar. You’ll hear older residents mention proverbs about the wind during this time, being “sharp as a knife,” and honestly, anyone stepping out at dawn this week would probably agree.
This shift marks the real transition into the Shabbat season, coming off the back of the 40-day Al Marba’aniyah. We just saw the Wolf Moon light up the sky on January 3—the first supermoon of 2026—and it seems to have set the stage for these atmospheric changes. The cold snap also lines up with the culmination of the Thuraya (Pleiades) star cluster, a celestial marker that folks here have used for generations to predict these severe winter peaks.
Forecast: Freezing Mornings and Fog
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has been crunching the numbers, and the outlook is clear: while we might get some fair skies during the day, the nights are going to be properly cold.
What to expect from Jan 11–22:
- Extreme Lows: Temperatures are looking to dip below 5°C in the desert pockets and up in the mountains.
- Coldest Spots: If you’re near Raknah, Damtha, or heading up Jebel Jais, brace yourself. Those areas are predicted to hit the lowest numbers, potentially skirting the freezing point.
- Fog Warning: With the cold comes the humidity. Mist and fog are likely to roll in overnight, especially along the coast and internal roads. If you’re driving early, particularly on Monday, take it slow.
- Wind & Rain: There’s a chance of light rain in the north and east today. Winds are expected to pick up by mid-week, too, which could churn up the Arabian Gulf.
Official Advisories
The authorities are reminding everyone to bundle up, especially for kids waiting for school buses in those early hours. The NCM is keeping a close watch on this “January cold spell,” noting that while it fits the historical data, the sudden switch from pleasant afternoons to freezing mornings can catch you off guard and trigger health issues.
“The atmosphere is a complex dynamic system,” Al Jarwan noted.
He’s right—while we know patterns like Der Al Sittin are coming, the daily weather can still surprise us, so it pays to keep an eye on the official NCM updates.
For those planning to brave the desert for camping season, just a heads-up: it’s going to be bone-chilling out there once the sun goes down, so pack accordingly.
